Nintendo Treehouse: Live at E3 highlights upcoming Wii U and releases (recap announcement)

Nintendo showed off a variety of games for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems during its Nintendo Treehouse: Live at E3 broadcast today, including a new game in the Mario Party series, an original action-adventure RPG IP for Nintendo 3DS, a sequel to Nintendo eShop hit BOXBOY! and the surprise launch of Rhythm Heaven Megamix.

Here’s a quick recap of just a few of today’s highlights. For even more details on upcoming games, visit http://e3.nintendo.com/videos to watch individual Treehouse: Live segments and more.

Pokémon GO Plus: The Pokémon GO Plus accessory can connect via Bluetooth Low Energy technology with any smartphone that has the Pokémon GO application installed, and provides an easy and convenient way to catch Pokémon and collect items (accessory must be in proximity of smartphone). Once the accessory is synced with a smartphone, Pokémon GO Plus notifies the player about events in the game, such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby, using an LED display and vibration. Players can catch Pokémon or collect items by pressing the button on the Pokémon GO Plus without looking at their smartphone. Pokémon GO Plus will launch in late July in North America, and is currently available for pre-order at select retailers at a suggested price of $34.99.

Ever Oasis : This action-adventure RPG for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems contains puzzle-filled dungeons, real-time battles, exploration and treasure hunting. Players use the oasis as their base, which they can expand as they play, and gain affinity with characters called Seedlings, who are themed after plant seeds, as well as a variety of other unique characters who live in the desert. Players can freely form strategic parties with any of their allied characters, using allies’ weapons and skills to battle enemies and solve dungeon puzzles. Ever Oasis is scheduled to launch in 2017.

Mario Party Star Rush : This new Mario Party game for Nintendo 3DS takes the fan-favorite series in new directions to make it more fast-paced and portable friendly. The main mode, “Toad Scramble,” uses a new open style of map that allows up to four players to move around freely instead of traditional linear space movements. Also, because the four players roll dice at the same time, players no longer have to wait for others to finish their turns. Players pick different-colored Toad characters to navigate the game map, and familiar characters from the Super Mario series are scattered all over the map. As players encounter these characters, they will help the player throughout the game.

Mario Party Star Rush launches on Nov. 4, alongside new amiibo figures in the Super Mario series (sold separately). The lineup includes Daisy, Waluigi and Boo, who make their amiibo figure debut, and the Boo figure even glows in the dark! New Wario, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong figures will also launch. Each of these figures will be compatible with Mario Party Star Rush.

Paper Mario: Color Splash : In this new Paper Mario game, the story begins as Mario and friends arrive on Prism Island and need to solve the mystery surrounding Toad characters that have lost their color. Mario and his new partner Huey join forces to learn more about what is happening on Prism Island, and also to collect missing Paint Stars.

In a first for the series, The Koopalings make their Paper Mario debut in the game, and players can use the Wii U GamePad controller to “cut” sections of the landscape to help Mario solve puzzles. The game launches Oct. 7.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix : The game offers more than 100 rhythm games, 30 of which are new to the series. An additional 70 have been selected from previous games in the series, including the original Game Boy Advance title, which was never released in North America. The game also features a continuous story for the first time in the history of the series. Players view the action on the top screen, and on the bottom screen they will receive feedback on how well they are matching the beat of the music as they play. The game also offers StreetPass features and a multiplayer mode for up to four players. This Nintendo eShop exclusive game launches … right now! Go find it, as well as two new Nintendo 3DS themes and a free demo in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS, or purchase the game at http://e3.nintendo.com/games/rhythm-heaven-megamix-3ds.

BOXBOXBOY! : This sequel to the acclaimed BOXBOY! game for Nintendo 3DS features the ability to create two sets of boxes, which means players will be challenged by new kinds of puzzles. The game picks up right where the original left off, but can be enjoyed even by people who missed the first one. The Nintendo eShop exclusive game launches June 30. To celebrate the upcoming launch, the original game is available at a discounted price in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS. Between now and June 21 at 8:59 a.m. PT, the original game will be available for $2.99, a 40 percent savings off the regular price, with My Nintendo members getting an additional 10 percent off the discounted price. More details on this special sale price are available at e3.nintendo.com. June 30 can’t come soon enough? The game is available for pre-purchase now.

YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits and YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls : The next big entries in the YO-KAI WATCH series for Nintendo 3DS arrive on Sept. 30. Players will embark on a new adventure across Springdale and through time, with more than 350 new and returning Yo-kai to discover and befriend—each with a unique look, personality and Soultimate Move. Teaming up with the heroic cat Hovernyan, players will travel back in time to 60 years ago and witness the origin of the Yo-kai Watch. Up to four players with their own systems and games can team up in an action-packed co-op mode to earn rewards that can be used in the single-player adventure.

Monster Hunter Generations: Starting June 30, a special demo will be available for all prospective hunters to download on Nintendo eShop. This special demo features single-player gameplay in addition to local and online co-op. Select ambassadors will receive two early access codes for the special demo before it’s made available to everyone. Additionally, those with Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate save data on their systems will receive a bonus item pack that includes an exclusive Felyne armor set, potions, in-game money and more to help dive right into the hunt.

DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past : This Nintendo 3DS remake of the classic turn-based game involves a young boy who sets off with his friends on a journey to restore the world to its former glory and save the present by mending lands that were sealed in the past. In addition to updated graphics and an entirely new localization, the game does away with random enemy encounters to bring the player deeper into the game world. Players can also collect and share Traveler’s Tablets via the StreetPass feature, granting access to special dungeons offering unique rewards. The game launches Sept. 16.

To watch full Nintendo Treehouse: Live segments, or for more information about Nintendo’s activities at E3, visit http://e3.nintendo.com.